Supporting Details — SAT Reading & Writing Explained
Supporting details are the specific facts, examples, statistics, quotes, or explanations the author uses to develop the central idea. Questions ask you to locate and correctly interpret these details.
The Core Idea
Details exist to serve the central idea. The key skill is knowing the difference between a detail the author mentions and a detail the author emphasizes. You must go back to the passage — do not rely on memory.
Key Vocabulary
Evidence, examples, or explanations that back up the main point
Information directly stated in the text
Restating the author's point in different words without changing the meaning
The specific lines or paragraph a question points you to
How To Approach
1. Read the question and identify what specific detail is being asked about
2. Locate the relevant section in the passage (use line references)
3. Re-read those lines carefully before looking at choices
4. Eliminate choices that go beyond what the text says
Common Errors to Avoid
Answering from memory instead of returning to the text
Choosing answers with 'extreme' language (always, never, only) not supported by the passage
Misidentifying the scope — choosing an answer that's too broad or too narrow
How This Connects to Other Topics
Closely tied to Textual Evidence — locating details is the first step in supporting arguments
Practice: Supporting Details
5 SAT-style questions. Select your answer and get an instant explanation.
Honeybees are essential to global agriculture, pollinating roughly one-third of all food crops consumed by humans, including apples, almonds, blueberries, and cucumbers. A single colony can contain up to 60,000 bees during peak summer months. Worker bees, all of which are female, perform specialized roles including foraging, nursing larvae, and defending the hive. The queen bee, whose sole function is reproduction, can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day during peak season.
According to the passage, which of the following is a role performed by worker bees?
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